Recently, I replaced my seat with a wider, gel-filled model. Since installing this new seat, I have noticed that I "feel the burn" above and to the outside of my knees to a much greater extent than before. When facing hills or headwinds, I have to either downshift into lower gears than before, or stand on the pedals. It seems like the new seat has isolated some of my muscles, and made bicycling more work.
Does this sound like a seat that is too high or too low? Or should I look for other causes?
Recently, I replaced my seat with a wider, gel-filled model. Since installing this new seat, I have noticed that I "feel the burn" above and to the outside of my knees to a much greater extent than before. When facing hills or headwinds, I have to either downshift into lower gears than before, or stand on the pedals. It seems like the new seat has isolated some of my muscles, and made bicycling more work.
Does this sound like a seat that is too high or too low? Or should I look for other causes?
Installing the new saddle probably changed your effective pedal reach. Compare the two and adjust accordingly. (Also might play around with fore/aft position if the new saddle is shaped drastically different from the old one.)
"Bottom" line? You might decide the wide, gel-filled model isn't a good choice for you. (What was wrong with the saddle it replaced?)
Does this sound like a seat that is too high or too low? Or should I look for other causes?
My guess would be that the saddle is either too far forward or too far back. Also, it commonly takes a little while for a cyclist's body to adjust to a new riding position.
My Friends seat was a large cushy one and it made pedaling so hard due to its widness that she lost some range of motion. She could never keep up with me. We put a thinner seat on it from another bike and the difference was amazing, she went faster and it was easier for her to climb hills too.
